und Pilot Cannon, who not being able to swim, when the fires
were extinguished jumped overboard and clung to the unexposed side of
the 'David.' After drifting about a quarter of a mile he got back on
board and seeing something in the water he hailed and heard, to his
surprise, a reply from Toombs, who soon got on board. Finding the boat
uninjured, though a bull's eye canteen afforded a mark to the Federal
cannoneer, they fixed the engine, started up the fires, got up steam and
started back to Charleston, reaching the Atlantic dock about midnight."

As the result of this most daring feat it was found that the torpedo had
exploded under three feet of water and against four and one-half inches
of armour, and twenty-seven inches of wood backing. The ponderous ship
was shaken from stem to stern, and was docked for repairs until the
attack on Fort Fisher, while the "David" and her crew were uninjured.
Captain Rowan reported that the ship was very seriously injured and
ought to be sent home for repairs, and Admiral Dahlgren informed the
Secretary of the Navy that, "Among the many inventions with which I have
been familiar, I have seen none that acted so perfectly at first trial.
The secrecy, rapidity of movement, control of direction and precise
explosion, indicate, I think, the introduction of the torpedo element as
a means of certain warfare. It can be ignored no longer. If sixty pounds
of powder why not 600," and the Secretary of the Confederate Navy
reported: "On the evening of the 5th of October Lieutenant W. T.
Glassell, in charge of the torpedo boat, "David," with Assistant
Engineer Tomb, Pilot Walker Cannon, and Seaman James Sullivan, left
Charleston to attempt the destruction of the enemy's ship, 'New
Ironsides.' Passing undiscovered through the enemy's fleet, he was
hailed by the watch as he approached the ship and answering the hail
with a shot, he dashed his boat against her and exploded the torpedo
under her bilge. The fires were extinguished, and the boat was nearly
swamped by the concussion and the descending water, and Lieutenant
Glassell and Sullivan, supposing her to be lost swam off and were picked
up by the enemy. Engineer Tomb and Pilot Cannon succeeded in reaching
Charleston with the boat.

"Although Lieutenant Glassell failed to accomplish his chief object, it
is believed that he inflicted serious injury upon the 'Ironsides,' while
his unsurpassed daring must be productive of an important moral
influenc